Preserving and protecting the Bay’s waters for future generations

How many of us have closed the end of a day relaxing in the glow of one of Georgian Bay’s magnificent sunsets? Or set out by boat in the early morning mist to embrace the relative silence and serene calm of its waters while dangling a worm on the end of a hook? Or snorkelled below its surface to enjoy the beauty of the fish and natural plant life that call the Bay home?At some point in our lives, we were each drawn to this expansive body of water that we all know and love as Georgian Bay. We have all created memories here, and over the years, we have attracted others to its shores with our stories.

But the pristine waters of Georgian Bay are at risk.
Growing threats from climate change, fluctuating water levels, pollution and invasive species are increasingly threatening to change the waters and ecosystems in our beloved Bay in irreparable ways.
We need to act. Now. Before any serious damage is done.
For more than 20 years, Georgian Bay Forever has heeded the call as the guardian to the waters of this precious Canadian gem. Through the generosity of our donors, we have invested wisely in accredited scientific research and large-scale studies to inform effective short and long-term strategies that will preserve and protect Georgian Bay’s waters and ecosystems. We have devoted our time and expertise to support public education around the Bay, broadened our impact through strategic partnerships, and become an influential voice in informing environmental policies - at all levels of government in both Canada and the United States - that will affect our waters.Read more about how we’re keeping Georgian Bay’s water clean in this year’s report.

Georgian Bay’s waters are ours to protect

As a long-time cottager in the Sans Souci area of Georgian Bay, I have a vested interest in keeping Georgian Bay’s waters pristine. I’m hoping future generations of my family will get to create incredible memories on, in and beside the water just as my family has done for years. But the threats today to the long-term viability of the Bay’s water are real.The recent change in government and subsequent new direction in environmental policies south of the border should concern us all. They are a wake-up call, reminding us that we can’t rely solely on governments to address the environmental issues affecting our lakes, rivers and streams. We need to step up to the plate and truly embrace our collective responsibility as guardians of Georgian Bay’s unspoiled waters.Personally, I have elected to do that through my role as Board Chair of Georgian Bay Forever, and through my participation last summer as a “Phragbuster”, where I worked alongside fellow volunteers as part of a massive community mobilization effort to help cut down and remove the invasive Phragmites that are threatening the Bay’s wetlands. These wetlands play a key role in helping to keep our waters clean, yet this invasive plant is quickly choking the life out of everything in its path. It’s only through our ongoing diligence and collective actions that we will be able to eradicate it.I’m pleased that so many are heeding our call to join us in our quest to keep the Bay’s waters clean. Whether it’s as a donor, a “Phragbuster”, a board member or a strategic partner, everyone’s participation is valued and appreciated.In 2016, we conducted a survey to help identify Top Threats to Georgian Bay’s waters. The results of the survey are helping to inform future education and research projects. We will also complete a branding exercise in early 2017 that will help bring greater clarity to our purpose as a guardian of Georgian Bay’s waters.As a charitable organization that does not receive government based operational funding, we’ve come to recognize and appreciate that it’s the people and businesses in and around Georgian Bay that make what we do possible. Sincere thanks to our donors who contributed $450,000 this year to keep our work on track. We finished the year with a modest deficit, but this made it possible for us to invest in projects essential to achieving our long-term goals. Overall, however, we continue to have a healthy financial position as demonstrated on our balance sheet.Special thanks to our strategic partners, board members, staff and community volunteers for helping us to discover, develop and implement the solutions that will protect Georgian Bay’s waters today and for generations to come.
Peter Singer

Applying vision and strategy to advance clean water solutions

I was just 16 years old when I spent a summer on Beausoleil Island as a camper. The following summer I was one of the lucky participants in a Parks Canada youth program on the island. That’s when my passion for Georgian Bay was sealed. Behind every board member, donor, and community volunteer I meet, there’s a similar Georgian Bay story to be told.Regardless of our reasons for coming to the Bay, what binds us together is our shared passion for the beauty that this great body of water bestows upon us with each visit to its shores. With your help, that’s what Georgian Bay Forever is here to preserve.Driven by our Vision to ensure the “waters of Georgian Bay are healthy and thriving for future generations”, we fund and support accredited scientific research and large scale studies that focus on three key areas: invasive species prevention and eradication (ecosystems), water level management, and water quality testing.While many of Georgian Bay Forever’s scientific and public education projects are ongoing initiatives with long-term horizons, we made important strides this year in all three areas:

Protecting the Bay’s unique ecosystems

Our work with the University of Guelph to build an aquatic biodiversity library will, in time, help us to identify coastal areas in need of protection.

Our freshwater research, also with the University of Guelph, will help to determine if high density open-pen aquaculture poses a threat to the Bay’s ecosystem.

Our partnership with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to survey eight tributaries where Walleye, Lake Sturgeon and Sucker species are on the decline will help prioritize sites for remedial action.

Our undertaking with municipalities, conservation authorities and community volunteers to remove invasive Phragmites is helping to restore coastal wetlands around the Bay.

Exploring options for water level management

The GBF-commissioned AECOM report on climate resilient structural options for managing water levels in Lake Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay yielded three prospective options for further review and discussion.

Improving water quality testing

Our continuing efforts to harmonize water testing protocols around the Bay in partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve will soon lead to better informed water quality research.

Our final report assessing bacteria level risk in the Township of Georgian Bay’s waters using microbial source testing confirmed that the water tested was safe. It also introduced this novel scientific method for Georgian Bay decision makers to use for efficient water quality management.

While scientific work takes time, we are already seeing the impressive results that some of our long and short-term investments are yielding, thanks in large part to the many individual and corporate donations that sustain our important endeavours throughout the year.Over time, we have matured and become a thoughtful, strategically organized and effective group with the ability to move critical issues into the hands of key decision-makers at all levels of government on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border.Whether you live on the Bay, own a cottage on it, run a business in the area or frequent local parks and public beaches, I hope you will take the time to learn more about our work at Georgian Bay Forever and how you can play a role in helping to preserve these beautiful waters now – and forever.
David Sweetnam
Executive Director

David Sweetnam
Executive Director

Training volunteers in Tay.

Education plays a key role in GBF’s activities.
This year, we continued to reach out to people across the Bay’s vast geography - covering close to 40,000 kilometres in green vehicles because we know that many of you are as concerned as we are about keeping our Georgian Bay waters pristine, and simply want to know how to help.

Preserving the Bay’s ecosystems and natural water filtration systems

The Great Lakes support more than 3,500 species, 80 per cent of which rely on Georgian Bay’s coastal wetlands, a high quality habitat for freshwater fish, amphibians and reptiles, insects, birds, and waterfowl, as well as numerous in-water and coastal plant species. The wetlands also act as a water filtration system, performing an important role in maintaining water quality.

Action:

Identifying and protecting the Bay’s biodiversity

Building on work we started with the University of Guelph in 2012, GBF is supporting the development of an aquatic biodiversity library using DNA barcoding to identify all organisms and species living in the Bay. Over time, this detailed digital directory will allow us to quickly and efficiently identify changes, assess human impacts on aquatic ecosystems and develop mitigating strategies to minimize or reverse the damage.

Status:

In 2016, we focused our efforts on adding 83 benthic invertebrates to the library, organisms that live in or on the bottom of sediments in the Bay. These invertebrates are excellent measures of aquatic conditions because they rely heavily on their surroundings.

Next Steps:

Our work lends itself well to making Georgian Bay the most well-documented ecosystem in Canada and internationally. We are working to fund and speed up the process of completing the aquatic biodiversity library so that scientists can use the relatively pristine state of Georgian Bay’s ecosystems as a baseline for assessing other parts of the Great Lakes that require preservation and remediation. Knowing what lives in Georgian Bay will help us to monitor the impact of ecosystem changes over time and identify hotspots that need protection.

Action:

Restoring the Bay’s coastal wetlands

GBF has helped mobilize 21 communities around the Bay in 2016 to help eradicate Invasive Phragmites through education and training. The devastating impact of this reed-like plant can be seen along more than 8,000 kilometres of shoreline and 3,700 kilometres of aquatic wetlands in the eastern and northern portions of Georgian Bay. It displaces local flora, fauna and fish habitats and is a significant threat to the ecological benefits that wetlands provide, including aiding in water quality and nutrient cycling.

Status:

In 2016, GBF educated more than 450 people around the Bay about Invasive Phragmites through a series of workshops and presentations, and joined several communities, including Collingwood and Honey Harbour, in their fight against the invasive plant. Education and access to training pages and videos on our website are working to educate and mobilize other Phrag-fighting communities around the Bay. We also established information-sharing relationships with the Ontario Phragmites Working Group, Ontario Invasive Plant Council and the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative.

Community example - Collingwood Phragbusters

Next Steps:

GBF will continue to expand the fight by reaching out to and partnering with communities and organizations around the Bay to collectively defeat this invasive plant. To date, more than 30 tonnes of invasive Phragmites have been removed from our shorelines.

Want to become a Phragbuster? Join your local Phragbusting group! Engage your community and municipal partners to help stop this plant! And donate to Georgian Bay Forever to support ongoing education, training and removal. Don’t let our coastal wetlands disappear!

Action:

Assessing the impacts of cage aquaculture

GBF has partnered with the University of Guelph to use DNA barcoding and tracer isotopes to look at the effects of open cage aquaculture or net-pen aquaculture “feed” on the local food web in Big Sound, including Colpoy’s Bay, Stokes Bay, Hope and Big Sound (Parry Sound) to determine if it is having an impact on Georgian Bay’s native fish populations, water quality and ecosystems.

Status:

In 2016, we used bio-tracers, following fatty acids and other chemicals through the food web from its base organisms to the top predator species. We also had two graduate students start a comprehensive literature search and synthesis report on the impact of open cage fish aquaculture on fresh water systems.

Next Steps:

The final reports will be coming out in 2017.

Action:

Mapping the underwater landscape

GBF continues to collect detailed bathymetric data to map the underwater topography of the Bay. This information will enhance our understanding of habitat changes and, in combination with other data, the effects of these changes on aquatic species. Unseen, the underwater landscape is prone to abuse. Detailed bathymetry is essential to the creation of digital elevation models that are used by scientists and coastal managers to guide investments and inform further research into cost-effective ways to address stressors impacting the Bay.

Status:

Data was collected throughout 2016 using Georgian Bay Forever’s boat, the Baykeeper, and high resolution side scanning sonar systems.

Next Steps:

Data collection will continue in Eastern Georgian Bay in 2017. This work would be greatly expedited by the use of an autonomous underwater vehicle, for which we are raising funds. The vehicle would enable us to generate a three dimensional view of the water and obtain detailed chemical and physical measures of pH levels, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, blue green algae, turbidity, etc. and bathymetry with high resolution scanning sonar. This will allow us to conduct water quality testing using many more indicators than we currently do, with little to no human error, to quickly assess if the areas being tested are under stress, or if the underwater landscape is changing due to unforeseen impacts.

Why donate to Georgian Bay Forever?We’re the only charitable organization in Georgian Bay that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the waters of the Bay - its water levels, quality and ecosystems. It’s that simple.At GBF, we believe that the long-term health of the Bay is dependent on three things:

rallying all those who share our deep and abiding connection to the Bay to help protect and preserve it;

investing in research and education to inform and foster innovative, viable and affordable ways to monitor and safeguard the Bay’s health; and

sharing our findings with all those in a position to act – individually and collectively – to preserve and protect the Bay – as we have been privileged to know it – for future generations.

If this strikes a chord, join us today. GBF relies on the generosity of like-minded individuals, companies and foundations to support its work, and we stretch your dollars as far as they can possibly go by partnering with other non-profits and by leveraging your contributions to attract matching funds and gifts-in-kind. Help us protect the Bay we all love – today.

Action:

Supporting habitat restoration for diminishing native fish

GBF partnered with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to survey eight tributaries over two years. These tributaries in Eastern Georgian Bay are seeing a decline in Walleye, Lake Sturgeon and Sucker species due to over-fishing, water flow manipulation in spawning areas, dam constructions, climate change, pollution and waves of invasive species such as common carp, tubenose goby, invasive Phragmites and Eurasian water milfoil.

Photos by Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council

Photos: 1.Shebeshekong 2. Examining spawning substrate

Status:

GBF helped EGBSC staff with this field work, and provided our boat and sounding equipment to create depth maps. In 2016, the survey focussed on Sucker Creek (Pointe au Baril), and the Magnetawan, Shawanaga, Shebeshekong and Seguin Rivers.

Next Steps:

In 2017, the survey will take us to the Shebeshekong, Naiscoot, Key and Pickerel Rivers. The survey will assess the suitability of the tributaries as a spawning, rearing, nursery and foraging habitat for these species, and inform strategies to reclaim and maintain these habitats if we are to sustain native fish populations.

Tackling fluctuating water levels

Those of us who have had a relationship with Georgian Bay for many years have seen firsthand how harmful fluctuating water levels can be. Many of us were ill-prepared for the devastatingly low water levels we encountered in 2012-13, yet we are at risk of experiencing them again. According to the best available scientific models, we are at risk from increasing and unpredictable short-term extreme water level fluctuations, with very costly decades-long declines in overall water levels in Georgian Bay.

Action:

Providing Structural Solutions for Adaptive Management in the Great Lakes

GBF commissioned the global engineering firm, AECOM, to assess and recommend contemporary, climate-resilient structural options for managing water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay. This work represents one of GBF’s most significant and high impact investments to date.

Status:

In 2016, AECOM released its summary report, which identifies three prospective structural options, including in-stream turbines, inflatable dams, and a park fill/control gates system. All three are proven technologies in freshwater systems, adaptable to changing climate and water level conditions, and favourable to the environment and ecosystem.

Next Steps:

Meetings have already taken place with several influential leaders including members of the International Joint Commission, Environment Canada, State of Michigan, First Nations, Council of Great Lakes Industry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), various shipping industry executives and the Georgian Bay Association. We will join AECOM in encouraging the Governments of Canada and the United States to create a detailed plan for protecting the Great Lakes by building on the findings of their work for GBF.GBF is also an advisor of the University of Michigan Integrated Assessment Study team, which is considering non-structural policy options for addressing changes and impact in Great Lakes water levels.

Did you know . . .. . . in many areas of Georgian Bay (e.g., Pointe au Baril, McGregor Bay), up to 50 per cent of the cottage population is American? Many of our neighbours to the south travel a great distance to enjoy the beauty and serenity of a Georgian Bay summer. If you’re an American and would like to support our efforts to keep Georgian Bay’s waters clean, you can, through the Great Lakes Basin Conservancy! Visit their website to learn more!

Improving water quality assessment and management

Poor water quality can lead to toxic algal blooms and cause mass die-offs of birds, fish, and other water creatures. Given that some areas of Georgian Bay are already quite stressed, the consistent and ongoing monitoring of water conditions will allow for timely interventions to preserve water quality.

Action:

Standardizing water quality testing

GBF continued its two-year partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and other key partners to harmonize water testing protocols across the Bay. This work will replace 15 different water quality monitoring programs with standardized tools that can be used to track water quality data that will help inform water quality research and government decision-making.

Status:

Building on previous GBF-commissioned studies that found earlier bacteria sampling regimes to be ineffective, in 2016 GBF worked to support a shift in thinking from a focus on bacterial monitoring to a focus on total phosphorous monitoring, in alignment with the new Eastern Georgian Bay water testing protocols. While phosphorus is a necessary nutrient for the growth of most living things, too much or too little can have harmful consequences, including the development of nuisance or toxic algal blooms and underwater oxygen-free “dead” zones. Total phosphorous data can easily be collected by citizen volunteers through the Lake Partner Program. As noted by the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, there are still 40 sites in Eastern Georgian Bay that need citizen help.

Next Steps:

The results of this work will be published in the 2018 State of the Bay Report for Eastern and Northern Georgian Bay.To significantly improve our ability to assess water quality efficiently, GBF is currently raising funds to acquire an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This vehicle will allow us to collect data rapidly, using state-of-the-art technology, on both physical and chemical properties such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, blue green algae, turbidity, and more. AUVs can also capture detailed underwater landscapes (bathymetry) which are important for monitoring and protecting healthy ecosystem habitat.

Join the Georgian Bay Forever CircleLaunched in the Spring of 2015, the Georgian Bay Forever Circle is our way of recognizing donors in perpetuity who have reached a lifetime giving level of $15,000 or more. These “guardians” share Georgian Bay Forever’s commitment to keeping our waters pristine for all of us to enjoy today – and for future generations to enjoy tomorrow. To date, we have welcomed more than 70 individuals, companies and foundations to the Circle, and look forward to welcoming many more. For more information, please contact Amber Gordon, Director of Development, at 905-880-4945, ext. 3.

What is GBF’s fundraising strategy?

GBF’s approach to fundraising is multi-faceted and integrated. We work hard to engage individuals, corporations, foundations and municipalities in the development of innovative funding projects that help achieve lasting conservation results while also meeting our supporters’ giving priorities.Year over year, on average, 76 per cent of our support comes from concerned and committed individuals; 10 per cent from family and public foundations; another 12 per cent from aligned corporations; and the remaining 2 per cent from our marina and small business supporters. GBF receives little to no government funding.

How are fundraising dollars invested?

GBF is working hard to ensure that donor dollars are spent efficiently and that their return on investment is high. We work with many other organizations in the public and private sectors as well as with committed individuals who share our conservation goals and objectives. We realize that some of our goals are much bigger than we are, and that to make the most impact, we need to collaborate to achieve our respective and collective objectives.Our fundraising and outreach initiatives have been and will continue to be focussed on:

strengthening our relationships with donors and solidifying their belief in our objectives for the health of Georgian Bay’s waters.

raising funds to fast track the completion of the DNA barcoding library of all species that live in the waters of Georgian Bay.

continuing our Phragbusting program and encouraging support for the eradication of invasive Phragmites from communities all around the Bay.

How does GBF measure its success?

For environmental organizations like ours, our conservation successes are not easily measured on an annual basis given that many of our scientific research projects are phased, and sometimes take years to complete. And, it can be a few more before success is fully realized. That being said, we understand that our donors need to see results and evidence that we’re making progress towards achieving our goals.2016 marked the second year of our current five-year strategic plan. We are happy to report that we have reached a number of our targets and will continue to leverage these results as we move further along with the strategic plan:

we have expanded our footprint in non-traditional geographies with our Phragmites, community guardian and eradication programs;

we continue to collaborate effectively with other GB5 organizations on numerous projects, amplifying results and reducing duplication and mitigating donor confusion;

we have done a better job of communicating the nature and results of our work and sharing stories about its significance more often; and

we are focusing on creating baselines against which to measure our successes going forward, and have begun tracking all of our activities in and around the Bay with more consistency.

Our efforts are paying off – we are welcoming new donors throughout the year and doing a better job of stewarding our long-term and loyal donors. We are seeing increases in followers on social media and in volunteers joining our ranks.GBF staff and Board members continue to monitor operational efficiency, ensuring we maintain an appropriate balance between how much of your contributions are spent on overhead, and how much flows directly to support our water protection and education programs.Georgian Bay Forever continues to play a lead role in the protection of your Bay. We turn to our First Nations for their knowledge, guidance and stories of the Bay’s health and abundance in days past.Looking ahead, we envision a healthy Bay with millions of fish, clean, safe drinking water and a lush habitat for the thousands of species that depend on the sanctity of the Bay for their survival.At the same time, we are cognizant of the immediate and imminent threats to the Bay - invasive Phragmites, the relentless advance of Asian carp, and the dynamic effects of climate change – and acknowledge that there is so much more we need to do to protect the Bay. We hope you’ll join us and support the work that we do to preserve and protect the waters of Georgian Bay now – and forever.

GBF’s American DonorsWe have a very strong and committed donor base of U.S. residents who have cottages or properties on the Bay. They have contributed to our projects year after year, and 2016 was no exception. Our heartfelt thanks to these donors for their ongoing belief in our efforts to protect the waters they have come to enjoy and play in.

Check out GBF’s latest communication tools to help keep you informed about new and ongoing scientific projects and educational activities.

Georgian Bay Forever Circle - A New Recognition Program for our Generous Donors

The Georgian Bay Forever Circle was officially launched in the spring of 2015 and recognizes, in perpetuity, donors who have reached a lifetime giving level of $15,000 or more. Donors who are a part of our Circle believe in our mission and allow us to invest in vital and strategic projects to ensure that Georgian Bay’s pristine and natural beauty is the legacy you leave for generations to come.GBF donors are extraordinary and we thank each and every one of them for sharing our quest to ensure that Georgian Bay remains drinkable, swimmable and fishable for all those who live, work and play on the Bay.For more information on your lifetime donation level or to make an additional gift or pledge to become a member, please contact Amber Gordon at 905-880-4945 ext 3.

GBF is pleased to recognize the members of the Georgian Bay Forever Circle for their total lifetime contributions.

David and Shelagh Blenkarn
Derek and Nancy Bowen
The Carrick Family
The Catherine and Fredrik Eaton
Charitable Foundation
Brian and Janey Chapman
The Charles and Rita Field-Marsham Foundation
Michael and Jacquie Green
The Harold A. Kopas Family Foundation
Peter Hatcher and Family
Robert Hay and Family
John Honderich
Ernest Howard
Renata Humphries
Roger Jones and Joanne Muther-Jones
Peter and Margie Kelk
Lloyd's Register Canada Ltd.
Ruth Mandel - WHO GIVES Fund
Mason Family Foundation
The McDonald Family
Hugh and Sylvia McLelland
James Meekison and Carolyn Keystone
The Michael Young Family Foundation
Frank and Patricia Mills
Jeffrey Orr and Suzanne Legge
John and Penny Pepperell
The Ruby Family
William and Meredith Saunderson
Peter and Catherine Singer
Larry Smith
Philip and Eli Taylor
Mary Thomson and Jan Ruby
Rob and Val Thompson
John and Josie Watson

We try very hard to ensure accuracy because we care so much about recognizing your donation. If we have inadvertently made a mistake, we are truly sorry. Please help us correct the error by contacting Amber Gordon-Bunn at amber.gordon-bunn@gbf.org or (905) 880-4945 x 3.

We deeply appreciate everyone who donated to Georgian Bay Forever in 2016.

$50,000 - 99,999

R. Howard Webster Foundation

$25,000 - 49,999

Bruce Power
Great Lakes Basin Conservancy, Inc.

$5,000 - 24,999

Jennifer Bannock
David and Shelagh Blenkarn
Derek and Nancy Bowen
Janet Burt
The CSL Group Inc.
Doug and Ruth Grant
Michael and Jacquie Green
Donald Guloien and Irene Boychuk
Ernest Howard
Renata Humphries
The Geoff Hyland Family
Roger Jones and Joanne Muther-Jones
The Harold A. Kopas Family Foundation
The Langar Foundation
John and Phyllis Lill
The Mason Family Fund
The Judy and Wilmot Matthews Foundation
William McDonald
James Meekison and Carolyn Keystone
Frank and Patricia Mills
Anthony and Amie Rocket Munk
Robin and Robert Ogilvie
Jeffrey Orr and Suzanne Legge
Margot Roberts and David Williamson
William J. and Meredith Saunderson
Peter and Cathie Singer
Robert and Valerie Thompson
Brian and Sabine Thomson
Sandy Wood and Don Darroch
The Michael Young Family Foundation

$2,500 - 4,999

Paul John Eakin
Peter Hatcher and Family
Robert Hay and Family
John Honderich
Jackman Foundation
Peter and Margie Kelk
Sam Kohn and Mary A. Ciolfi-Kohn
Francie and John Pepper

We try very hard to ensure accuracy because we care so much about recognizing your donation. If we have inadvertently made a mistake, we are truly sorry. Please help us correct the error by contacting Amber Gordon-Bunn at amber.gordon-bunn@gbf.org or (905) 880-4945 x 3.

Memories-are-forever gifts: Individuals listed below have had gifts made in their honour.

Gifts In Honour

Responsible investments for long term benefits

As a charitable organization that does not receive government based operational funding, we’ve come to recognize and appreciate that it’s the people and businesses in, around and on Georgian Bay that make what we do possible. Sincere thanks to our donors who contributed over $450,000 this year to keep our work on track. We finished the year with a modest deficit, but this made it possible for us to invest in projects essential to achieving our long-term goals. Overall we continue to have a healthy financial position as demonstrated on our balance sheet.
Our thanks to our donors without whom we wouldn’t be able to do what we do; our strategic partners who help us to leverage our donor funds; our board members for their tireless devotion; our staff for exemplifying what it means to be committed to a cause; and the community volunteers for stepping forward in the fight against invasive Phragmites.
As we move forward with our projects in 2017, we hope you will join us and support us in the year ahead to protect Georgian Bay’s precious waters.

Meet the men and women who so generously are volunteering their time in 2017 to help GBF advance our mission.